The Arc Maryland’s 2018 State Convention Break-Out Session Presenters

Presenter at The Arc Maryland’s State Convention in 2017

Transition Planning

Presented by Starr Jolbitado, The Arc Carroll County

The Arc Maryland is excited to highlight one of our 2018 State Convention session presenters: Starr Jolbitado from The Arc Carroll County! Starr will be presenting “Transition Services: How they Benefit Individuals, Families, and Communities.” This informative and interactive session will provide information about creative ways The Arc has partnered with the school system, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and businesses to improve post-graduation outcomes for transition-aged youth. Starr Jolbitado manages the Educational Partnership Department of The Arc Carroll County and has been involved with transitioning youth for over a decade. Starr believes that all effective plans include full engagement of the student, the family, the school, and the community to allow for smooth, successful and meaningful transitions for students exiting school.

A Place at the Table: Partnerships on Our Faith Journey

Presented by Rachel Chung, Archdiocese of Washington Department of Special Needs

How can faith-based communities partner with individuals, family members, and provider agencies and work together to ensure all are meaningfully included in their faith community? Come To The Arc Maryland’s State Convention and learn how a partnership in Prince George’s is improving connectedness of people with disabilities in their faith communities. Rachel Chung of Archdiocese of Washington Department of Special Needs Ministries will be leading a session on creating a fully-inclusive spiritual journey. Rachel Chung has supported people with disabilities for over 20 years in a wide variety of settings including job coaching, developing programs in a Cambodian orphanage for children with multiple disabilities, resource coordination, and being part of a team to change a traditional day program to a community-based program.

Building CommUNITY Awareness through Police Training and Police Outreach

The Arc Maryland can’t wait for Officer Laurie Reyes to come speak at The Arc Maryland’s 2018 State Convention about the model Autism/Intellectual Disabilities Outreach Program that is utilized throughout Montgomery County, MD. The program was created to address the growing number of police calls for service involving individuals with Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Officer Reyes will present tools that the program provides for officers to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes, the information provided for caregivers to help keep their loved ones safe, and an overview of the community outreach taken over by the force. Officer Reyes has been a Montgomery County Police officer for 20 years.

Beyond the Doctor’s Visit: Supporting People with I/DD to Lead Healthy, Safe, Fulfilling Lives in the CommUNITY

Having a healthy lifestyle takes planning and action and health affects all facets of our lives. Health and wellness then should be approached as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. The Arc Maryland is very excited to have a panel of experts at our upcoming convention who will speak on how wellness can be encouraged and supported for people with disabilities. Jennifer Eastman, Jared Ciner, Steve Allen, and Meredith Ritchie will address how self-advocates, families, and community-based organizations can create and promote a culture of health and wellness, the importance of exercise for people with I/DD, and the importance of educating people about healthy relationships and personal boundaries to ensure the establishment of safe and fulfilling relationships. Jennifer Eastman is the Director of Community Living Policy at the Maryland Department of Disabilities and the State Coordinator of HealthMatters, MD! Jared Ciner is the Founder and CEO of SPIRIT Club, a fitness organization that provides specialized programs that accommodate people of all abilities. Steve Allen is the Executive Director of SPIRIT Club. Meredith Richie is an Independent Living Specialist at The Image Center for People with Disabilities, working with people with I/DD and other disabilities to better understand healthy relationships and personal boundaries.

Inclusion is NOT a Place

Presented by Chissy Shawver and Deborah Mark, The Arc Montgomery County

In the spirit of putting the unity in CommUNITY, Deborah Mark and Chrissy Shawver from The Arc Montgomery County will be presenting an introduction to the concept of inclusion as an attitude, not a place. The presentation will focus on the importance of choice and engagement when promoting inclusion. Chrissy Shawver is the CEO of The Arc Montgomery County and previously served the organization in the capacity of Director of Children and Youth Services. The Arc Montgomery County operates Maryland’s only fully-inclusive child care program for children with and without disabilities and special medical needs. Deborah Mark has served as the Director of Communications and Outreach at The Arc Montgomery County for eight years and oversees volunteer experiences throughout the organization.

Advocacy in Directing Your Person-Centered Plan

Person-centered planning (PCP) supports your voice and your choices. You are in charge of your plan! PCP can help you to explore different areas of life and think about new things you might like to try. That is why The Arc Maryland is so excited to have Goli Balakhani, Jessica Stine, and Cody Drinkwater from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration present on DDA’s approach and new person-centered planning tools at The Arc Maryland State Convention. These tools help individuals with I/DD create a plan that defines the direction of their own life and finds the supports they need to achieve it.

Trauma-Informed Care for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Presented by Dr. Karyn Harvey, The Arc Baltimore

Traumatic events have serious impacts on the lives and mental health of those affected. Dr. Karyn Harvey from The Arc Baltimore will be presenting a session on the sources and effects of trauma in the lives of individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. The workshop will also cover the key therapeutic tools to help promote healing and recovery after a traumatic event. These tools are vital to help individuals have their best lives in the #commUNITY. Dr. Harvey has published two books and several articles on therapeutic care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is currently the Assistant Executive Director of Clinical Services for The Arc Baltimore.

The Power of Parents: Advocacy in Action

Presented by Grace Williams, Lori Scott, Andrea Toney, and Kim Tart

This panel of experienced parents exemplifies true CommUNITY! You will hear the perspectives of parents who have been advocates for their family members on both personal and public policy levels. Come be inspired by their stories of strong advocacy and commitment to the priorities of The Arc movement.

Discover all the programs that Maryland’s Parks and Recreations departments have to offer that are designed to meet the needs of people with all abilities! The Arc Maryland’s convention session “Recreation Rocks! Parks & Recreations CommUNITY Programs Panel” will feature representatives from all over the state discussing programs that get individuals with disabilities involved and active in their CommUNITY. The panel will feature representatives from Calvert County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, Howard County, and Harford County!